Sermons of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Romans 11:7-10 — How can something that the Lord created as a blessing become a curse? In this sermon on Romans 11:7–10 titled “Blessings Become a Curse,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones answers this question by preaching from the words of Paul when he refers to the law and the people of Israel. Paul acknowledges that the Jews were earnest and genuine in their search for salvation but they went about it in the wrong way. The passage says that those who were elect did in fact obtain it but that the Lord hardened the others. Israel was blinded and God gave them the spirit of slumber regarding the true message of the gospel. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains the passage by saying that the very blessing of the word of God, the law, was once a blessing but became a curse to the Jews. They had the wrong thinking about so many things and despite their best efforts, they still did not truly know Christ and did not receive salvation. The only way to receive this blessing is by faith. Dr. Lloyd-Jones also explains in great detail several other Old Testament passages which show the ignorance of the Jewish people and how they did not understand the gospel.

Romans 11:1-6 — In this sermon on Romans 11:1-6 titled “A Remnant According to Grace,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones continues his exposition of the apostle Paul's answer to his rhetorical question "Has God rejected His people?" (Rom 10:1). The apostle, after having discussed the first proof that God has not rejected His people - the case of his own conversion - now turns to a second example from history; the case of Elijah. During the reign of wicked King Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah fears he is the only faithful one left in Israel and that all hope for God’s church is lost. Elijah cries out to God in alarm asking why it seems as though God has forsaken him and Israel. God responds by telling him that he has not forsaken him or Israel but that He has saved seven thousand for himself. Another instance Dr. Jones brings out in his sermon is when God brought Lot out of Sodom and Gomorrah before he destroyed it. Some conclusions that Dr. Lloyd-Jones draws from this passage is that “we must learn to face every situation in life in a Scriptural manner.” Secondly, Dr. Jones also brings out the idea that we should never get involved too personally in such matters of the church; we must not sulk under our Juniper tree like Elijah and “let the devil persuade you that the church is yours. The church isn’t yours, but it is God’s.” Lastly, Dr. Lloyd-Jones persuades us to remember that even if the whole world is against us, we must not go along with the crowd, no matter the numbers. Thus, God’s purposes are sure and we must not worry. God will always keep His remnant.

Romans 11:1-4 — Has God cast away the Jewish people? After several passages concerning the fate of the Jewish nation, in this sermon on Romans 11:1–4 titled “Did God Reject His People?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unfolds how Paul asks this question and then follows his answers with several pieces of evidence. Paul says that there is no way the Lord has cast out His chosen people because Paul himself is an Israelite. Paul is saying this not just as a nationalist or proselyte, but he shows his historical lineage which proves he is of Jewish descent. It is possible that some Jews will be saved because Paul was saved. There are a large majority of Jews that do not believe the true gospel. God did not cast them all away because He foreknew them. This means that God foreordained them and knew that they would be believing Christians. The Jews were a group of people that God took special interest in and had a special affection for. Israel was set apart by God for a purpose. If God cast them out, this would mean that God changed His mind and Christians know that the Lord does not change His mind as it is not part of His character.

Romans 11:1-36 — In this sermon on Romans 11:1–36 titled An Introduction to Romans 11,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones urges the listener to lay aside prejudices and traditions and to come to God’s word in an attitude of reverence. All Scripture is the very word of God. The major themes of this chapter are salvation, faith, and the people of Israel. While there are many differing interpretations of this passage, we still must never approach Scripture in an overly intellectual manner that causes only debates and divisions. God’s word is given to build up the church and strengthen the believer’s faith. Paul is concerned that the church in Rome and, by inclusion, all Christians should come to a proper understanding of God and His salvation that He has given in Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses questions such as what is the relation between Jew and Gentile, what is the future of the Jewish people, and what does it mean to be justified by faith? All these questions have immense significance for the Christian life and the life of the church. Christianity and theology is not simply about abstract intellectual ideas but it is about knowing God.

Romans 10:18-21 — How could it be that the foolish and ignorant Gentiles would predominately receive the gospel, whereas God’s chosen people, the Jews, would predominately reject the gospel? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has been tracing the apostle Paul’s argument through Romans, seeking to answer this query following the inspired text of Scripture itself. In this sermon on Romans 10:18–21 titled “Learning the Lessons,” he transitions from exposition to application of the many exegetical principles he has established in earlier messages. Dr. Lloyd-Jones notes the important role in the personal application of Scripture, which many of the Jews in Paul’s day missed. Furthermore, he traces the history of the church as illustrative of “dead orthodoxy” that abandons the Lord Jesus Christ and persecutes His church. The answer to such alarming tendency of so-called “Christians” persecuting the church is a posture of self-examination and returning to the ultimate authority – the word of God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones asks the church to remain open to the scrutiny of Scripture, remaining humble before it and others, while rightly handling the whole of the Bible. Listen to this vital message from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones as he cautions the church to take serious the tragedy of the Jews, not merely as a historical interest, but more importantly as a means of God’s grace in the life of His people.